At this exact moment, that seems like a loaded question to ask myself. I have been teaching yoga for five years and one of my very first students, Bill, just passed away. In a time of reflection I have realized that you really don’t know how much impact someone has on your life as well as you on someone else’s.
I remember the first time that Bill attended my Yoga class. He was new to Yoga; new as in it was his first class ever. However, I was also new because I at that time had just graduated from doing my Yoga Teacher Training, we were new together.
He had an amazing witty sense of humor. In fact, I use to call him The Troublemaker. He would show up and say, ‘What have you got for us today?’ The other students in the class would laugh because as you do in my classes, everyone gets to know one another, and at times it seems like more of a social gathering than Yoga.
Bill was a family man who loved his daughters very much. He would show up to class with his daughter and then off they’d go for their frequent father/daughter dates. I always thought to myself how cool, how special it was that a father and daughter would come to practice together. What a unique bond. He was so very kind, always with a smile on his face. Bill was a man full of life, who soaked up every moment. I thank him for being my student, and for trusting me when I had no idea what I was doing.
A week later I found out that my dear friend lost his husband unexpectedly. He was a wonderful, charismatic beautiful man. I hope that he is dancing in the stars, kissing the sun, and hugging the moon wherever he is.
So what is the answer to this question as I tell you about the loss of two great people who impacted my life?
I am reminded that life is short. That no matter how much control we think we have; we don’t. Life is unpredictable. What can I control? I can be responsible for myself as a human being. I can choose to act with integrity in an authentic way leaving petty emotions where they belong, which is in nothingness. I can choose to find my happiness. Instead of saying I want to do this or I wish I could. I am going to do it. Whether it is telling my parents that I love them or traveling to India like I’ve been saying I’m going to do for years. There are so many things that I want to do in my life. I want to make an imprint. I want to make a difference.
I’ve learned that we should all live the life that we want to be in love with now. Love the people, your people who you refer to as your righteous posse. Your path is for you. Get on it and design your story because no one can do it like you. There is, no other you.
Written By
Jessica Hinkson
From Yoga To High Heels 